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THE Philippines will host the inaugural staging of the World Pool
Association (WPA) 10-Ball Championship from September 29 to October
5 in Manila.
Ian Anderson, president of WPA which is the
world governing body for pool sports, and Raya Sports head Yen
Makabenta signed the agreement on Friday at the Sofitel Philippine
Plaza.
According to the agreement, the Philippines will
organize the World 10-Ball Championship for an initial term of five
years and will have the right to extend it for another three years.
Anderson said the Philippines’ successful
hosting of the 2006 and 2007 World Pool Championship (WPC) is one of
the key reasons for winning the bid.
“This gives our country the opportunity to
brand this major pool championship as our own,” said Makabenta,
who got the support of Billiards and Snooker Congress of the
Philippines, to host the WPC for two years.
“As a vehicle for national promotions and
sports development, the possibilities and opportunities are
limitless,” added Makabenta.
Ten-ball is currently the game of choice of most
professional pool players, especially in the United States and the
Philippines. They prefer it because of its greater complexity,
difficult patterns, and demand for power-breaking.
The WPA has set a minimum of 128 players in the
main draw of the World 10-Ball Championship. But more than 200
players from 50 countries are expected to come to Manila to vie for
spots in the tournament proper.
This year’s tournament has a total cash purse
of $400,000, with the champion earning $100,000. Cash prizes will be
given up to the 64th place.
In succeeding editions, the total pot is
expected to increase to $500,000.
In addition, the Philippine organizers plan to
offer special prizes to players with the most number of golden
breaks and consecutive run outs.
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